Alterbio

Leader of consortium:

INOTEX spol. s r.o.

Consortium members:

SYNPO, akciová společnost, Centrum organické chemie s.r.o., Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Responsible person:

Ing. Lenka Martinková

Duration of the work package:

01/2014 – 12/2019

Description:

Aim of this package is to introduce new antimicrobial functional systems synthesized within the Centre into the functional finishing of textiles. Joint steps with providers of research in chemistry will help to define and tailor the efficient polymeric structures for durable, long-lasting protective effects. Optimized cleaner production finishing systems and (multi)functional added-value textiles will be introduced addressing the new markets and offering the new dimension of safety against microbial contamination in the area of comfort, protection and durability of textiles. The main advantage of use of new concept of antimicrobial active components bound on the polymer body for textile functionalization is to obtain:

1. a long-lasting protective effect
2. durability under the harsh climate conditions for technical textiles and
3. durability by repeated industrial laundry maintenance incl. development of the proper maintenance procedures.

Utilization of new polymeric antimicrobial protectors will prolong the service-life of added value textiles to rise their effectiveness and minimise the environment impact twice – due to the minimized leakage of active components (against their use in the isolated form with no polymer bond) where polymers will be selected as triggers of fixing of newly synthesized functional systems to the textile substrate or film-building carriers of active antimicrobial components. In some cases (photoactivated systems) the complex finishing system will protect the textile carrier against self-degradation. Second environment positive impact is reduction of the total volume of used antimicrobial agents influenced by durability and longer service-life of treated added-value functional textiles (this will improve also the effectiveness of the new designed textile functional textiles). The cleaner production principle of new technologies and feasibility by use of existing technological devices (minimum additional investment) will be respected.

Task 7.1 Specification of polymeric components which should be used as a carrier of antimicrobial components which pass the requirements of potential use on textiles – testing of selected monomer/polymer carrier systems. Selection of bonding system (covalent, ionic) chosen within the WP2 by SYNPO/COC and study of the reactivity in the dependence on the fibre quality, affinity of substrate, compatibility with finishing components and process-ability by use of available application technologies. Lab scale study to help to select proper monomers for polymerization and carriage of antimicrobial additives and to verify if the alternative way of synthesis influences the application and effectiveness by textile processing. Study of film building properties on textile substrates to be used as thermo-reactive coating systems (optimization of adhesion on the 3D textile surface structure). Besides the thermo-reactive systems new principle of UL-LED curable polymers will be studied to i) significantly reduce consumption of energy and to ii) offer an environment friendly flexible application –new in the textile finishing. Optimization of finishing processes will help to introduce the new antimicrobial concept in the finishing practice , new textile auxiliary agents will be formulated.

Task 7.2 PTC photosensitisers -potentially new tool of photoinitiated antimicrobial functionality of textiles. PTC´s offer kind of intelligent activation – their antimicrobial and soil-release functionality is “switched-on” by light exposure. This makes the whole functional system more safe. New systems of PTC application on the textile substrate needs to be studied to i) minimize the typical roughness of 3D textile surface on the photoactivating power of light exposing the functionalized fabric to reach ii) the maximum power of PTC photosensitiser and iii) to protect the textile carrier against risk of self-degradation. Two alternative principles of PTC application on the textile substrate will be studied – as i) polymeric carriers with covalently bond PTC activators dispersed in polymeric (acrylic/PU) thermo-reactive (alternatively UV-LED curable) binder and ii) in modifier PTC form containing the fibre-reactive groups for direct link to the textile substrate (similar principle like reactive dyes on cotton). Selection of PTC in the dependence on the wavelength for specific applications. Compatibility with textiles and other finishing components, durability of effect. Market study of potential use, study of the photoactivity/photoactivation management – modelling of functionalised textiles –lab scale. Testing of protective parameters, durability, study and elimination of risk of “self-degradation” of textiles caused by activated PTC´s.

Other risks and limitations of PTC (colour, durability in maintenance-laundry etc.).

Task 7.3 Active silver-based polymeric antimicrobials for textiles. Selected textile substrates for the durable antimicrobial protective textiles, special PPE (hospital care, elderly people home care, antismell active underwear etc.) will be studied as a carrier of the covalently immobilized silver nanoparticles based on the UPOL patented technology using PEI acting simultaneously as a reductant and covalent linker (Patent No.. 303502, 12/9 2012). The technology will be optimized with respect to the type of the textile/fibre surface. The key variables will also include i) PEI concentration, ii) silver salt concentration, iii) reaction temperature.

Task 7.4. Testing and evaluation of specific antimicrobial properties of selected textiles treated by new antimicrobial polymerised systems. Evaluation of properties which can be obtained by PTC photosensibilised antimicrobial treatments and covalently immobilized AgNP´s. Durability of effect, resistance of fixed antimicrobial active components against leakage. Benchmarking of results with existing conventional antimicrobial systems – specification of marketing arguments, comparison of technical-economical and environment benefits.

Task 7.4.1 – Lab scale prepared samples, selection, evaluiation and eventual improvement of testing methods (link to the WP8 SZU)

Task 7.4.2 – Functional prototypes made by up-scaled technologies (semi-industrial scale) by use on innovative antimicrobial products/systems

Task 7.4.3 – Multifunctional prototypes – evaluation of compatibility of new antimicrobial systems, synergies incl. eventual changes during the textile service life. Identification of eventual bottle necks and their improvement